Italy in the Piemonte region (known for
Nebbiolo, Barbera and Dolcetto based
wines). Piemonte means `foot of the
mountain'; it sits at the base of the
Swiss Alps covered in vineyards. The
region holds the largest area under
vine in Italy, with more than 50
appellations.
perched atop a hill overlooking the
region of Barolo this medieval town hosts
the world's largest cheese festival, Cheese,
a weekend cheese-a-thon, every two
years in September. Stalls and tasting
benches line the streets and piazzas with
some of the world's best cheese, mostly
from local and regional farmers and
producers. More than 150,000 people
are attracted to what can be known as
the biggest collection of quality cheeses
in Italy.
most festivals around the world
are a celebration of one thing, while
representing something else. Carnival
is a celebration of music, dance, rhythm
and colour although actually marks the
beginning of lent. The Bra based Cheese
festival, is of course a celebration of
cheese, yet there is a larger task at hand.
at the core of cheese is the anti
fast-food regime, Slow Food, founded
in 1986 by Carlo Petrini. Slow Food is an
international organisation working to
preserve regional and traditional cuisines
and encourages the regeneration of
regional ecosystems. There are more than
100,000 members and branches in more
than 150 countries focused on promoting
farmers and produce in the fight against
inevitable market force.
"Cheese is for cheese producers who
specifically make cheese out of raw milk."
It celebrates producers who create food
with care and consideration for the land,
community and animals. Aniere says
the festival shows co-consumers how
producers make "food in context with
environmental care", supporting the
community both economically
and socially.
the festival include Caciocavallo, made
from the Podolico cow; Polish Oscypek
made from salted sheep milk, pressed
in a patterned wooden mould and
smoked; UK established Neals Yard Dairy
(showcasing and educating consumers
on the traditional production of cheddar)
and the only cheese in the world made
from pig rennet, Pecorino di Farindola.
not only does the Cheese festival
offer up the opportunity to try new, local,
traditional and independent produce; it
introduces new flavours and products
to children. "Cheese Bimbi" is a program
for kids aged four to 10 years to learn the
grass roots of cheese production with the
aim of renewed appreciation for what the
land can provide. Something even adults
could do with learning more about.
next stop "Cheese Adulto"!